Teaching Those you Reach: A Response to the Growing Adult Education Needs of the American Baby Boomer Population in a Mega-Church
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Author
Salazar, Cynthia
Date
1996
Degree
Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology
Abstract
Churches are faced with increasing demands for services and support from regular
attendees and visitors alike. As a teacher and program planner in the adult education
training ministry of Willow Creek Community Church, I am aware of the need to deliver
quality adult theological education, that is, specifically communicating the basic doctrines
and principles of the Christian faith along with guidelines for their application in everyday
circumstances. This project will focus on the development and delivery of a new paradigm
of adult theological education to a target audience comprised of primarily baby-boomers.
Christ modeled the teaching component of His ministry to his disciples in various verses in
the New Testament.! The command is simple and the context clear. What remains difficult
is the medium. That is, by what means is the church to deliver the biblical, theological
education and discipleship commanded by Christ? Biblical education refers to a program
that is biblically grounded as well as one that aids people in studying and exegeting the
scriptures themselves. The discipleship component refers to people being followers and
learners of Jesus Christ, that is, one who walks with God, lives the Gospel, contributes to
the work of the church , and impacts the world.